Manatee County probate and estate planning. Serving Bradenton, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria Island, Parrish, and communities throughout Manatee County.
Suncoast Legal PLLC handles probate administration and estate planning for individuals and families throughout Bradenton and Manatee County. When a loved one passes away, Attorney Anthony Thomas guides families and personal representatives through every stage of the Manatee County probate process — from the initial filing through distribution and closing. He also works with clients planning ahead to minimize or avoid probate entirely.
Manatee County has grown significantly in recent years, drawing retirees, families relocating from northern states, and professionals seeking the area's waterfront living and proximity to Sarasota and Tampa. Whether you are a family navigating an estate after a loss, a personal representative who needs to open a probate proceeding, or someone planning ahead for your own family, Suncoast Legal provides direct, personalized counsel — one attorney, one relationship, no handoffs to associates or paralegals.
Manatee County probate matters are handled through the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. When a Bradenton-area resident passes away with assets held solely in their individual name, those assets generally must pass through probate before they can be distributed to heirs or beneficiaries.
Suncoast Legal guides Manatee County families and personal representatives through every stage of the probate process: determining which type of administration applies, preparing and filing court petitions, publishing the Notice to Creditors, managing creditor claims, valuing and distributing estate assets, and closing the estate.
Probate ServicesA sound estate plan identifies who receives your assets, who makes decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated, and who carries out your wishes after you pass. For Manatee County residents, the foundational documents are a Last Will and Testament, a Health Care Surrogate Designation, a Durable Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA Authorization.
For clients with waterfront property on Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key, significant retirement assets, business interests, or beneficiaries with specific needs, we design trust-based plans that avoid probate, preserve privacy, and provide for family members across generations.
Estate Planning ServicesOur clients throughout Bradenton and the surrounding communities receive the same focused attention and direct attorney access regardless of where they are located in the county. In-person and remote consultations are available.
Probate matters for Manatee County residents are filed with the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court, which also covers Sarasota and DeSoto counties. The Manatee County courthouse is located in downtown Bradenton. Most probate proceedings are handled through attorney filings and do not require the personal representative or beneficiaries to appear in court in person, but all documents must comply precisely with the circuit's rules and procedures.
Florida's 2026 reforms to the probate statutes — including the increase of the Summary Administration threshold to $150,000 — apply equally to Manatee County estates. Families with estates at or below that value may qualify for the faster, less costly Summary Administration process rather than Formal Administration.
Probate is often unfamiliar territory for families dealing with a loss. The Manatee County process — filing with the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, publishing the Notice to Creditors, managing creditor claims, valuing estate assets, and finally closing the estate — involves procedural requirements that differ from what most families expect. Having an attorney who handles the process entirely, without delegating to staff or junior associates, means fewer errors and a cleaner path to closing the estate.
As a solo practitioner, Anthony Thomas handles each probate matter personally. When you have a question, you reach your attorney directly — not a paralegal, not a case manager. This is particularly valuable during probate, which involves sensitive family and financial circumstances that deserve consistent, attentive care.
Serving clients throughout Bradenton and Manatee County. In-person and remote consultations available.
Manatee County probate matters are filed with the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court, located at the Manatee County Judicial Center in downtown Bradenton. The Twelfth Circuit also covers Sarasota and DeSoto counties. Most probate proceedings are handled entirely through attorney filings and do not require appearances by the personal representative or beneficiaries, but all documents must comply with the circuit's local rules.
The timeline depends on which type of proceeding applies. Summary Administration — available for estates with $150,000 or less in probate assets, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years — can often be completed in four to eight weeks when filings are properly prepared. Formal Administration typically takes six months to a year or longer, because Florida law requires a creditor notice period of at least three months from the date of first publication. Complex estates, disputes, or estates with real property in multiple states can extend the timeline further.
In almost all cases, yes. Florida law requires that formal probate proceedings be handled by a licensed Florida attorney. Even Summary Administration requires properly prepared court petitions and legal filings. Attempting to navigate probate without legal counsel often results in rejected filings, delays, and personal liability for the personal representative. Having an attorney from the outset ensures the process moves correctly and efficiently through the Twelfth Circuit.
Summary Administration is a streamlined process available when the estate's probate assets total $150,000 or less, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years. It does not require appointing a personal representative and is generally faster and less expensive. Formal Administration is required for larger or more complex estates. It involves appointing a personal representative, publishing a Notice to Creditors, managing a creditor claims period, filing an inventory, and distributing the estate under court supervision. An attorney can advise which process applies to your specific situation.
Many assets pass outside of probate entirely, including assets held in a revocable living trust, accounts with named beneficiaries (retirement accounts, life insurance, payable-on-death and transfer-on-death accounts), property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship, and Florida homestead property passing to a surviving spouse or lineal descendants under certain conditions. Probate applies primarily to assets held solely in the decedent's individual name without a beneficiary designation. Proper estate planning can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for probate.
Florida does not impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax. However, federal estate tax applies to estates exceeding the federal exemption amount (currently over $13 million per individual under current law, though this threshold is subject to change). For most Manatee County families, federal estate tax is not a primary concern, but for those with significant assets, coordinated estate and tax planning can help minimize federal exposure. Suncoast Legal provides advanced tax planning alongside estate planning where the circumstances call for it.
Suncoast Legal provides clear, practical guidance for families and personal representatives navigating Florida probate. Schedule a consultation to discuss your situation.
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